Rita's Coconut Sunbutter Bar Recipe

After feeling so bad that Ethan could not partake of any "desserts" I was determined to find him one that would also fill him with protein goodness of Sunbutter (sunflower seed paste) and the benefits of coconut oil.  Eventually I created this recipe which Ethan absolutely loves... and so do we, for that matter!

Some of you have partaken in this with us and have asked for the recipe so here it is:

Rita's Coconut Sunbutter Bars

1 cup Sunbutter
1/2 cup Coconut Oil
1/2 cup Agave Nectar
1 cup shredded coconut, sulphite-free
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (Enjoy Life Allergen-free brand)
3-4 cups coarsely crushed organic corn flakes (fruit juice sweetened)

Cream together sunbutter, coconut oil and agave nectar.
Fold in coconut, chococolate chips and corn flakes.
Press into 9X9 square pan or a cookie sheet for thinner treats.
Refrigerate 1 hour before cutting and serving.

Keep refrigerated!  And by all means... ENJOY!

Some Ethan-friendly treats

My other sister, Diane, has also been on the lookout for wholesome treats that Ethan can partake of.  We were sooooo delighted when she found these amazing Yummy Earth Lollipops.  In fact, that company makes DELICIOUS gluten-free vegan treats of lollipops, gummies & candy drops.  My understanding is that all their lollipops and drops are kosher parve, certified organic & gluten-free; however, their gummies are only certified gluten-free.

You can typically find them at your local health food store but you may be surprised to see them popping up at your  local grocery store, too.  They are certainly gaining in popularity.  We order ours from iHerb.com.

We love these treats that contain actual pure vegetable juices such as black carrots & pumpkin.  Yes, I know... you are likely making that funny face of "say what?  Vegetables??" but make sure you TRY these before you diss them!  You will be pleasantly surprised, I assure you!

We keep them on the counter and hand them out "like candy" to all of our guests.  Surprisingly, the parents look forward to them as much (if not more) than the kids!  Hee hee hee.  So be sure to "treat" yourselves to some of these guilty-free candies.  And thank you so much, Diane, for finding this AWESOME treat for Ethan.  I cannot describe the feeling in my heart when I see him looking at what every one else's eating and delights in knowing he can have some, too!

iHerb.com supplements that changed our lives

I have searched high and low for a good online source for natural supplements that are reputable, well-respected, organic (ideally), and hypoallergenic. This search has led me to various online sites depending on the product I was looking for.

Alas, I have come across a website that far exceeds any others I have found (including well.ca, puritan's pride, and naturopathicproducts.ca) and that website is iHerb.com.

If you are looking for the best coconut oil (Garden of Life - Living Foods), they carry both the 16 & 32 oz glass bottles for prices half those you find in any health food store!

If you are looking for the best vitamin D drops for your babies (Carlson's Baby-D drops) that have no additives... just plain sunshine goodness, they also carry the best price.

If you have stumbled upon this blog because your own children suffer from severe food allergies and/or sensitivities, then iHerb.com also provides Metagenics Ultracare for Kids, a hypoallergenic medical food supplement that saved Ethan's life as far as we are concerned! One of the few supplements that provide dairy-free calcium. It always comes with a parent's guide to a thorough elimination diet (including menu plans, recipes, etc...) to completely isolate your child's food sensitivities. We would be lost without this product for Ethan.

They will often have a promotion (such as right now) where you get 5% off your orders over $60. Shipping is free for US residents and minimal if using their DHL international shipping (I just ordered over a hundred dollars in products and am paying only $12 to have it delivered to my door).

And because I have an account with them, they have allocated a code for me to share with friends and family which will get them an additional $5 off their first purchase. So if you are finding your family budget being stretched from pricey supplements from your local health food store, I strongly recommend iHerb.com.

And don't forget to throw in code ITA277 to get your $5 off.

So here's hoping I have helped your household budget in some way and encouraged you to look into supplements and/or healthy foods to promote your health and wellness. Much love to you all out there and should you order from these guys, I hope your experience(s) are as positive as mine have been.